Abstract
We have recently published evidence that a retrovirus nay be etiologically related to KD (Lancet, Sept. 6, 1986). IFN can be detected in serum of patients with active viral infection or autoimmune disease, and is elevated in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, a known retroviral-induced illness. We tested sera from 20 patients with acute KD (median age 29.5 rrcnths) and 7 control children with nonviral illness (median age 24 months) for IFN using a semimicromethod on human fibroblasts (GM2504) trisomic for chromosome 21, which carries the gene(s) for sensitivity to human IFN. About 2×104 cells were incubated with twofold serial dilutions of serum in 96-well microtiter plates for 18 hours at 37°C, and then challenged with encephalonyocarditis virus (0.1 pfu per cell). Virus-induced cytopathic effect was evaluated 24-30 hours after infection. The IFN titer was defined as the reciprocal of the highest dilution of sample to protect 50% of the cells. Reference α, β, and γ IFN were included in each assay, and results standardized with reference human a IFN # 023-901-527 (NIH). By this method, 18/20 acute KD sera but only 2/7 controls had IFN levels >4 IU/ml (p<0.005 by one-tailed Fisher's exact test). Characterization of the type(s) of IFN is currently in progress, but preliminary results indicate α and/or γ IFN in KD sera. These findings support a viral etiology for KD. The role IFN may play in the pathogenesis of KD warrants further study.
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Rowley, A., Preble, O. & Shulman, S. SERUM INPERFERON (IFN) LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE KAWASAKI DISEASE (KD). Pediatr Res 21 (Suppl 4), 333 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00994
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00994